Page 64 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

“Sounds like I have some catching up do.” He laughs, turning to the bartender to signal for whatever I was having.

“I’m supposed to be letting loose and having fun, remember?”

“Yes, and I’d say you’re doing a great job with that. Me on the other hand, I just finished having boring business conversations with a bunch of old men. Not much fun in that.”

I giggle in relief that he wasn’t making out with that blonde in some dark corner.

“Anyways, how about some fresh air?” he says, signaling the bartender for a glass of water that he encourages me to drink.

Cole places his right hand on my shoulder and leans into me. “Come on, there’s a balcony just through those doors.”

I nod slowly, taking his outstretched hand as he helps me down from the high stool.

We push our way through the crowded dancefloor, making our way to the door. He slips past it, pulling me behind him and shutting it behind me.

The door opens out onto a spacious balcony overlooking the golf course. Even though the scenery is magical, my eyes are completely focused on Cole. He has a way of commanding space and making it almost impossible to think of anything else when he’s around.

He stands across from me, leaning against the door we just came through, and then he just watches me. His eyes trail all over my body, and his smoldering hot gaze is enough to make me weak in the knees. Shaking my head slightly to clear the unholy thoughts that now seem to be bouncing around in it, I look away from him.

I can still vaguely hear the soft music from the hall; the evening breeze is chilly, the slight wind picking up a few stray strands of my hair. I walk over to the railing, letting my fingers trail across the cold, metallic surface as I stare out into the night sky. Somehow, this night hasn’t been bad at all. I was skeptical when Cole suggested it, but now I’m glad I let him convince me to come.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, gazing at the twinkling stars in the dark sky.

“Stunning,” he says huskily, but when I turn to look at him, he’s staring at me, not the sky.

“Sounds like the party is really getting started in there,” he says, gesturing back to the hall we just came from. I can hear the sound of the band picking up. “We’re missing the dancing,” he says.

“I'm not a very good dancer.” I shrug.

Just then the music changes, and the instrumental version of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” serenades, slow and soft.

“This is my song!” I giggle excitedly, swaying softly to the rhythm.

“Then dance with me,” he smiles, holding out a hand.

A small voice tells me this is probably a bad idea. I have a job to do for Sue.

His hand is still waiting for mine. I hesitate but eventually give in.

His other hand wraps around my waist as he pulls me in closely. He stares deeply into my eyes as we sway slowly together underneath the stars.

Slowly, I slip my arms up around his neck, nuzzling into the side of his neck as I breathe in the scent of his spicy cologne.

His hands slide down my hips, and my body instantly responds with a warm throbbing sensation. It’s been years since I’ve reacted to a man this way. He slips a hand under my chin, bringing my face up to his. Instinctively my tongue flicks over my lips, moistening them. His eyes follow with that same intense look of desire that crossed his features when he first saw me tonight flashing across his face.

Just then a single white fleck lands on his nose. Brows furrowed, I wipe it off with my thumb, staring down at the little white dot. I raise my eyes back up to his, but his gaze seems to be firmly planted on something behind me. I turn around, eyes widening at the sight that meets my eyes. Pillowy, white flecks of snow drift down from the sky, already starting to collect on the ground of the parking lot.

“It’s snowing,” I beam, stretching my hand out to collect a little bit of the white, dewy flecks.

“Yes, and starting off pretty fast. Notice how the flakes are so big the ground is already getting covered even though it just started?” Cole says, gesturing behind me again. I look around, and he’s right. It is starting to come down pretty fast. A strongbreeze blows past, sending a shiver down my spine. Even the trees in the distance seem to be swaying with the wind.

“Looks like there’s going be a snowstorm tonight; we better get home before it starts. We are not going to want to be stuck in this,” he says, taking my hand.

“Wait, but…I live halfway across the city. It’s going to take us at least forty minutes to get me home. Maybe even close to an hour in these conditions,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady even though I’m already starting to panic.

“Look, my house is ten minutes away. We could be safely indoors by the time this snowstorm really gets bad. I’ll get you home as soon as the roads are clear,” he says.

“I don’t think—” I start, about to launch into an explanation of why I can’t come home with him, but as if on cue, the heavens open, blanketing us in thick, white snow and bringing with it elevated wind gusts. We’re definitely about to get hit by a very strong snowstorm.

---